Coulthard did not believe Raikkonen would return

Kimi Raikkonen's former McLaren teammate David Coulthard has admitted he was surprised when the 2007 world champion decided to return to Formula 1 this year.

Scottish veteran and BBC pundit Coulthard shared the McLaren garage with the now 32-year-old Finn seven years ago.

He told Championat: "When the rumours began, I thought it would never happen.

"I believed he was really enjoying competing in rallying and had decided to end his formula one career," said Coulthard.

The former McLaren and Red Bull driver, however, clarified that he is supportive of Raikkonen's return.

"I am in favour (of it)," he said, "and the others are not going to have it easy because they are going to be proving their abilities against six world champions."

And Raikkonen, Coulthard added, is one of the best.

"Last year I was with Kimi at the Red Bull Ring with Sebastian Vettel and a few others. We competed together in a variety of cars and bikes, and Kimi was quick in all of them.

"He's a real natural talent," he said.